The Tin Hat Brigade of Texas
The windswept plains of Texas, during the latter half of the 19th century, were a landscape etched in grit, opportunity, and often, unbridled lawlessness. As settlements sprouted and the promise of fortune lured people westward, the established societal structures struggled to keep pace. In this environment, where the line between justice and vengeance blurred, emerged groups of citizens who took it upon themselves to maintain order. Among the most notorious of these vigilante committees was the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas. Their story is a stark reminder of the complexities of frontier life and the desperate measures taken when formal law enforcement proved inadequate.
The story of the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas is inextricably linked to the rise and character of Fort Griffin, Texas. Established in 1867, the fort served as a military outpost, intended to protect westward-bound settlers and control the activities of Native American tribes in the region. Situated on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, the fort soon attracted a civilian settlement just below its bluff. This burgeoning community, initially known by colorful nicknames such as "The Bottom," "The Flat," or "Hidetown" (a nod to the booming buffalo hide trade), would eventually adopt the name of its imposing neighbor: Fort Griffin.
The geographical location and purpose of Fort Griffin ensured its rapid transformation into a bustling frontier hub. A diverse population flocked to the area, drawn by the promise of economic opportunity and adventure. Buffalo hunters, seeking their fortune in the lucrative hide trade, mingled with tradesmen and merchants eager to cater to the growing population. Cowboys, driving massive herds of cattle along the Western Trail, found respite and recreation in the town’s saloons and gambling halls. And, inevitably, the town also attracted a darker element: outlaws, thieves, and desperate characters seeking to exploit the chaotic environment.
The convergence of such a diverse and often volatile population created a powder keg of lawlessness in Fort Griffin. Brawls, robberies, and even murders became commonplace. The limited law enforcement presence, often overwhelmed and under-equipped, struggled to maintain order. The reputation of Fort Griffin quickly spread, attracting some of the most notorious figures of the American West. The streets of Fort Griffin were reportedly trod by the likes of Pat Garrett, the famed lawman who would later kill Billy the Kid; Doc Holliday, the quick-witted dentist-turned-gunslinger; Wyatt Earp, the legendary marshal of Dodge City and Tombstone; and the infamous outlaw John Wesley Hardin. Even colorful characters like Lottie Deno, a skilled gambler, and Mollie McCabe, a prominent madam, added to the town’s vibrant and often dangerous tapestry.
The situation in Fort Griffin deteriorated to such an extent that, in 1874, the military authorities stationed at the fort declared martial law. Soldiers patrolled the streets, attempting to suppress the rampant crime and restore order. While the military presence had some effect, it was ultimately a temporary solution. A segment of the citizenry, frustrated by the persistent lawlessness and the perceived ineffectiveness of the official channels, decided to take matters into their own hands. This group, identifying themselves as the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas, believed that swift and decisive action was the only way to protect the lives and property of the community.
The origins of the name "Tin Hat Brigade" remain somewhat shrouded in mystery. One theory suggests that the name derived from the practice of wearing tin hats as a form of disguise or protection during their vigilante activities. Another explanation proposes that the name was a symbolic reference to the group’s perceived role as protectors of the community, shielding it from the dangers of lawlessness. Regardless of its exact origin, the name "Tin Hat Brigade" became synonymous with vigilantism and extralegal justice in the Fort Griffin area.
The Tin Hat Brigade of Texas operated under a self-proclaimed mandate to deliver swift justice to those who threatened the community. Their methods were often brutal and uncompromising, reflecting the harsh realities of frontier life and the prevailing attitudes towards crime. Horse thieves, in particular, became frequent targets of the brigade’s wrath. Many a suspected horse thief was found hanging from a tree near the river, a grim warning to others who might contemplate similar acts.
In April 1876, a man named John Larn joined the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas. Larn’s involvement with the vigilante group quickly elevated his standing within the community. Leveraging his newfound respect and reputation, Larn successfully ran for and won the election for sheriff of Shackelford County that same month. However, Larn’s election would prove to be a turning point, exposing the darker side of vigilantism and the potential for abuse of power.
Shortly after Larn’s election, the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas, under his tacit leadership, apprehended a man caught stealing a horse. In a display of their ruthless brand of justice, they promptly hanged the man from a pecan tree, leaving his body suspended as a macabre spectacle. To further emphasize their message, they left a pick and shovel beneath the hanging corpse, inviting anyone who might wish to bury the thief to do so.
Emboldened by their perceived success, the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas continued their campaign of vigilante justice. Over the next three months, they reportedly shot two more horse thieves and hanged six others. Sheriff Larn, instead of curbing the activities of the vigilantes, appeared to condone and even encourage their actions. He hired John Henry Selman, a notorious gunman, to work as his deputy. However, instead of upholding the law, Larn and Selman allegedly used their positions to control the vigilantes, engage in cattle rustling, and terrorize the county.
Larn’s tenure as sheriff proved to be short-lived. After serving less than a year, he resigned and turned to outright cattle rustling. His actions eventually caught the attention of the authorities, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Ironically, it was William Cruger, Larn’s former deputy, who was tasked with bringing him to justice.
Cruger apprehended Larn on June 22, 1878, and imprisoned him in the Shackelford County jail. Aware of Larn’s supporters and the potential for a jailbreak, Cruger shackled him to the jailhouse floor. However, these precautions proved insufficient. The Tin Hat Brigade of Texas, determined to exact their own form of justice, stormed the jail with the intention of lynching Larn the following night. Unable to easily hang the shackled man, they instead shot him in his cell, bringing a violent end to his life.
The events surrounding Larn’s death were further complicated by other unsettling incidents. Around the same time, an unidentified man was found hanging outside of town. The town marshal, William C. Gilson, subsequently disappeared. Rumors circulated that Gilson had been silenced because he knew too much about the vigilantes’ activities and their involvement in criminal enterprises.
The story of the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of frontier justice and the dangers of unchecked vigilantism. While the group may have initially been motivated by a genuine desire to protect their community, their actions ultimately blurred the lines between law and lawlessness, contributing to the very chaos they sought to eliminate. The legacy of the Tin Hat Brigade of Texas remains a controversial chapter in the history of the American West, a reminder of the challenges of establishing order in a land where justice was often dispensed at the end of a rope.